New Orleans area hotels had the 19th highest occupancy rate in September among the Top 25 markets, according to Smith Travel Research. That’s up from the 21st highest rate in May.

The 57 percent rate was up from 55.7 percent from August and from 42.2 percent during the same month a year ago.

New York had the highest rate at 85.7 percent, while the Tampa, Fla. area had the lowest at 47 percent.

Meanwhile, rooms in New Orleans were the 13th most expensive at an average of $96.76 a night, up from $89.20 in August and from $88.75 during the same month a year ago. The New York area was the most expensive at $280.78, while Detroit had the lowest average nightly rate at $75.67.

The national occupancy rate was 59.9 percent, down from the 63.9 percent rate in August but up from 56.1 percent in September 2009. The average nightly room rate was $99.31, up from $98.69 in August and from $97.38 a year ago.

The New Orleans area includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and St. Tammany parishes.â€¢